Weight Loss and Wasting Remain Common Complications in Individuals Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the Era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy [Wenke CA, et al. CID 2000;31:803]: This is a study from Tufts and Harvard of 469 HIV-infected persons enrolled in a nutrition study. The definition of wasting used here was a loss of at least 1.5 kg at six - 12 months. This definition was noted in 58%, the mean loss was 4.0 kg, and 48% had this weight loss after initiating HAART. The authors conclude that weight loss and wasting continue to be problems in the HAART era.
Comment: It should be noted that the data on this point are conflicting since others have reported a favorable response to HAART in terms of weight loss [AIDS 1998;12:1645; AIDS 1998;12:1777].
posted 11/6/2000